Sullie

Wild Flowers in Antelope Valley

Before we had the drought in Southern California the poppies and wild flowers would pop. I fell in love with the back lighting of the poppies within this patch...
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Before we had the drought in Southern California the poppies and wild flowers would pop. I fell in love with the back lighting of the poppies within this patch of wild flowers. I celebrate nature every time I shoot wildflowers! Those were the good old days. Hopefully, we will end this drought and Janice will be back in the fields of heaven. :)
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Canon EOS 5D

settings

Aperture f/4.5 ISO 100 Shutter 1/500 Focal Length 100/1

upload_date

Jan, 2016

Views

2823

Likes

+520

Awards

Winner in Flowersfrombelow Photo Challenge

Top Shot Award

Member Selection Award

Featured

Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 1

Peer Award

+190

Superb Composition

+66

Top Choice

+49

Absolute Masterpiece

+44

Outstanding Creativity

+23

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Superior Skill

Genius

Love it

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

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Top 10 rank week 1

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Top 10 rank week 2

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was shot in Antelope Valley, Southern California.

Time

This was later in the day where the sun was low and yet high enough to beam into the flowers. The poppies know when the sun is going down so they begin to close their petals for the night. You have to time it just write to get the petals to be standing tall.

Lighting

This is natural back lighting. I was lucky enough to have clouds out for this shot so the light wasn't so harsh. Normally I have to use my JTL circle diffuser to tone down the sun.

Equipment

This was shot with my Canon 5D, 100mm Macro lens and my Manfrotto Tripod down low to the ground.

Inspiration

Antelope Valley is a challenge to photograph flowers because of the wind issues, and I love a challenge ;) When I saw the position of the sun on the flowers I knew I had to set my tripod and begin shooting. These gorgeous flowers only bloom a couple of months a year, so I knew I had to get out and capture their beauty through my lens.

Editing

Antelope Valley is a challenge to photograph flowers because of the wind issues. I love a challenge ;) When I saw the way the sun was hitting the flowers I new I had to set my tripod and shoot away. The inspiration was the beauty of these gorgeous wildflowers that only last a couple of months a year.

In my camera bag

I always have my Canon 5DIII and 5D with my Canon 100mm macro lens and Canon 70 - 200 2.8 zoom lens. I also love my Canon 50mm 1.4 lens in the bag, it's my favorite medium lens. I also have a Manfrotto tripod with a ball head, Canon Timer Remote Controller and JTL 5 in 1 Collapsible Reflector discs. When I'm photographing flowers I'll bring a water bottle mister to add water drops.

Feedback

Because of the wind problems in the valley the best place to photograph these flowers is between hills. If you find some amazing flowers set your camera on a tripod with a trigger and take the shots when the wind stops. You need to have patients for sure. If you have a camera with a mirror, lock it up to reduce camera shake. You can also use diffusion discs to help with the wind and the harsh light. The poppies open as the sun comes out and then later they will close again. Think in your mind what you would like to photograph and plan a day of it. You'll have a blast!

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Sullie

Sullie

Wild Flowers in Antelope Valley

Before we had the drought in Southern California the poppies and wild flowers would pop. I fell in love with the back lighting of the poppies within this patch... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Sullie

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Before we had the drought in Southern California the poppies and wild flowers would pop. I fell in love with the back lighting of the poppies within this patch...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.